A little appliqué & a tag ...

Anyone who knows me will know that appliqué is my ‘thing’. I prefer it to any sort of piecing as my accuracy is not fabulous and I always seem to spending my time ‘making’ things work! There is a fabulous quote from a book by Piece-o-Cake designs I just love which goes something along these lines ... it will all quilt out in the end! This is my motto ... I wish it wasn't’t as I would love to be Ms Accuracy but I never will be ... so I make another plan.

Anyway, I was talking about appliqué. The lovely Lisa, who has just become an Stay at home Mum for a bit longer than she had first thought (yay for her!), recently asked me some questions about appliqué & tagged me at around about the same time so I thought I would combine the two, so here goes ...

Originally when I first started appliqué I used needle turn. I love this technique and would always use it if I had the time. It leaves such a perfect finish and you don’t need to muck around with fuseable web. I taught myself this technique using The New Appliqué Sampler by Piece-o- Cake Designs. Their technique is great and the diagrams & explanations are second to none. They also provide explanations and tips for left handed people which I have found invaluable.

This quilt is the first project that I did using needle turn ... as you can see it is not finished. I baisted it and I rolled over the edges & it has been sitting on Megan bed like this for at least 2 years. Now that my machine quilting technique has improved I will finish it ... some day!

These are pillows that I made for the girls also using this technique.

 

The next method that I have been using a lot lately uses fusible web combined with finishing off the raw edge with either sketchy machine quilting or a machine blanket stitch. Fusible web is a pain to use. I have always used vilsaflex, not because it is fabulous, but because we don’t have many other choices in Australia, that I know of. The web tends to lift off the backing paper if it is folded or crushed or older, so I tend to only buy it in small lengths. You have to be careful not to get it on your iron as it makes an awful mess. I have a separate iron that I only use for my quilting. I have also tried keeping a piece of the backing paper after the web has been removed to use as a pressing sheet ... but it takes longer so I never end up persevering. I also find that the appliqué pieces tend to lift off the backing fabric if moved around too much before being secured. It also can make the shapes ‘hard’ but you can overcome this by cutting out the center of the fusible prior to adhering it to the applique leaving only a couple of cm's of web around the edges of the shape.

I have recently read about another product that i am going to have a go at later this week called Floriani. I will let you know how this product compares.

I used sketchy machine quilting to secure the appliqué on both Jessica’s Garden

& Rainbow Lollipops... 

I used machine blanket stitch on the kids PJ's

& the 'secret' project that I am currently working on.

I had a bit of trouble trying to find an example of hand embroidered blanket stitch, all I could find was the first quilt I ever made which was Joshua’s original cot quilt.

I don’t do well with this stitch due to my 'anal' personality ... the length & evenness of these stitches drives me mad!

And now to the Tag!

1.       Why did you start your blog?

I started the blog on a whim. We had not long discovered that my husband was sick and while he was hospitalised I found solace in the beauty and creativity of the crafty blog world. So, I started one .

2.       How did you come up with your blog name?

I don’t know ... I felt quite self conscious at the time thinking that I didn’t really want people to look at my things or more to the point that no one would really want to look at them ... and dontlooknow was the name that came to mind. It has been a source of huge embarrassment though as my step kids & husband have not stopped teasing me as I also used dontlooknow for my flickr account and they managed to tack on a couple of numbers to the end (my year of birth) which I took no notice of at the time ... so now my flickr account is dontlooknow69 ..... I’m blushing!

3.       Do your friends & family know about your blog & what do they think?

All of my family know about it. I know that my current mother-in-law & ex-mother-in-law check it weekly .... for the photos of the kids. I think they like it. I know my husband is happy that it is providing me with a distraction.

4.       How do you write posts?

Usually I will have thought about it in the time leading up to writing it, then I just sit and write. Not a lot of thought goes into it ... should I admit to that?

5.       Have you ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments?

The other day I got a weird comment left on the post I made regarding the kids PJ's. It was all very strange and had a very strong new age religious push to it ... I skim read it, deleted it and bared the URL. I don’t need that crap in my life! As for trolls ... I don’t know what they are ... although Megan is reading a fantastic series of books called The Spiderwick Chronicles and there are trolls and stacks of other strange beasties in them.

6.       Do you check your stats or care how many people read your blog. If you care how do you increase traffic.

Yes, I do check my stats. And yes I do care ... only about the usual visitors though. Don’t get me wrong I am pleased that lurkers take a look. I love the comments and I am thrilled that you guys have relieved some of the pressure from poor Louise who was my first regular! The only way I can think of increasing traffic would be to make sure you have good things to look at that are updated regularly ...

That must be it, other than to tag a couple of others; firstly I’ll tag Lacey who is a gorgeous girl all the way around the other side of the world and my other two Lisa’s Upstatelisa who has just got herself a pretty nice new banner! & Spoonfullofsugargirls the prolific mother & daughter team. Play along girls, if you like, otherwise don’t feel obliged.

Enjoy the rest of your week ... I have got some serious cooking to do for Saturday night!

Kellie

PS I never did get back to the hand quilting on the weekend ... my machine was just tooo tempting!

Comments

[Lorraine Bowman]

Yes, we do look for the photos, but also because we are very impressed and very proud of you.Also glad for you that you have something to give you solace.
Love,
Lorraine

[tracey petersen]

I could look at your work all day long. It is beautiful!

[Pennie]

Love your posts and love your work.

[Cathy]

thanks for sharing your tips on applique - I am not very good at it, but I am trying to improve.

Your work is just beautiful and I love reading your blog.

[upstatelisa]

Ya know.. somedays, Typepad doesn't like me to comment!! I will try again and if I post twice... sorry!!!
I just love your colors!!! Your quilts are so cheerful!!! Is the lollipop pattern a published pattern? I love it! Your work is beautiful. I have always wondered what Vilsaflex was. WE have a variety of fusible webs here. I use Heat n' Bond Lite. Do you have something like that there? I could send you some, if you would like!
I would love to do more handwork but more often than not, I end up at the machine!!! (in my messy sewing room) :-)
I would be happy to play along with the game of 'tag'.
Love your blog!

[Louise]

What a fantastic post Kellie. You answered heaps of questions I had. I absolutely adore your work - such beautiful colours! Love the flickr name!!

[Lisa]

Love the pics of your different applique techniques. Applique is a favourite of mine as well and my current project is from Piece of Cake. I usually use spray on starch and iron the edges under - haven't had much success with the needle turn method.

Thanks for the tag - Sarah and I would love to play along. We'll get to it next week when I am on HOLIDAYS!

[Lacey]

Thanks for the tag Kellie! haha I was so excited when I got your comment, like YEAH! I'm part of the loop! Great post on appliqué, i've always shyed away from it because of my mom telling me what a pain it is whenever I look through her quilting books. But, hey, if I'm brave enough to attempt the baby booties, I had might as well give the appliqué a shot!! Cheers!

[meggie]

You are very gifted, both at creating wonderful quilts, & also at writing an easy enjoyable post!
I love to visit & see your beautiful gorgeousness- children & your sewing!

[periwinkle]

I've sent you an e-mail. Looking forward to seeing your secret project.
Lisa x

[Jodie]

Wow Kellie, your work is amazing!!! I'm a bit scared about sending you my quilt now.. LOL!!! I love the little snap shots of the 'secret quilt' I can't wait to see what it is.. :)

[Jodie]

Hi, I was just wondering, with the sketchy applique, do you find it wears ok? I am really really new to applique and know almost nothing- ooh but i have a tip for vliesofix - It stores well and keeps together for longer if you keep it rolled up in a poster tube.
Your applique is awe-inspiring.

[driftwood]

that applique is to die for!

[selina]

The pic of the quilt on the bed is one of the most beautiful quilts I have seen. The colours you use are really great.

[Jo]

Your quilts are to die for...I am thinking about doing my first ever quilt. Aunt Bec's 9 patch from Amitie..I love it. I know what you mean about the vliesofix. Iuse the heat and bond now instead. But it gums up the machine needle sometimes.
You are lucky to have such great fabrics closeby. Out here in the sticks its all grandma type flowers....

[soo]

what beautiful, beautiful projects. I love the colours and fabrics you use, they look amazing!

[Mette]

What a beautiful quilt! I will come back to visit your inspiring blog.

[Jen]

you must hear it all the time but WOW your quilts are just amazing. i'm new here so maybe you've addressed this question but, are these your own designs? wow - great stuff.

[Teje]

Hello! This was so wonderful post! I love all your crafts! I haven't made a lot of applique and I was so happy to find some advice from you! I'm now full of inspirationg to make flowers!
I remember your blog name before I started mine - that name is the best - it makes you look right away!!!
Sunny wishes from Crete! Teje

[Australian Pillows]

I really like your post. We might try to work a reference to this one into a blog post about australian pillows next week.

[Deb]

I love your designs. I'm working on your Lilly Pilly Tree quilt for a baby gift. So cute! Your instructions are fabulous! But I can not figure out HOW you free motion quilt so close to the edge of the leaves so well. I have the Bernina 440 and am using my clear BSR foot. It looks as though you use a heavier weight thread too. Keep designing; your work is so fun and amazing.